The 'E' Type Forum

I have been reading up on the guidance issued by the Government as to what constitutes a "substantial change" to the car which precludes it qualifying for an MOT exemption.

If the car has a power to weight ratio which exceeds 115% of original specification then the car does not qualify for an MOT exemption (unless the modification was made before 1988).

See https://www.classicfordmag.co.uk/wp-con ... idance.pdf

So, those of you who should have "265hp", but have over 305hp be warned.

kind regards
Marek


EDIT:- the document in the link is a reference as to draft guidance of what constitutes a substantial change to a historic vehicle as published in October 2017. There is then a further document about clarifying "substantial changes" which appears to be current. That appears to list completely different criteria, e.g. engine mismatch, running gear alterations and others, but makes no mention of 115% power.

I’d love to get over 115% more power. I think you mean 15%.
I’d also be quite happy with a ‘standard’ 265bhp.

Thankfully Jaguar saw the future and launched the car with a 'stated' 265bhp which means we can boost the power to 304bhp without falling foul of the MOT requirements. There are not many XK engines that produce more power than that.

Fortunately torque is not part of the official 'power to weight' measurement (they specify horsepower and pounds)!

Marek,
Unsure what guidance you have been reading, but the Government full guidance on what constitutes a “substantial change” for a VHI, (Vehicle of Historical Interest), is available on the Government website here :-

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... idance.pdf

I guess this full guidance superseded your “draft guidance” document.

If you start by “Googling” the subject of “Historic (Classic) Vehicles : MOT and Vehicle Tax”, this document is very clear on this subject and on page 1 directs you to the Government link regarding full guidance on MOT exemptions for historic vehicle. When you click on that document, it has a further link for “Full guidance relating to substantial changes”, which is the document link that I have pasted above.

Form V112 is also available on-line which is the form that you are required to take when you self-certify your vehicle is exempt from an MOT when getting a Vehicle Tax, (even if the Tax is Zero), and this form also shows on it’s reverse the definitions of what “substantially changed” means.

Stay Safe !
Cheers,
Dave

Yes, the new guidance is different in this respect as to not quite be helpful enough.

If the technical specification of the engine is changed, then that may well be "significant". In other words, they are maybe saying the same thing as earlier, but in a much more ambiguous way. By looking backwards at drafts, a lawyer will determine the purposive nature of the legislative guidance and the QC then consulted will form his view from that.

kind regards
Marek

Hi all well and good but i think it is always better to mot my e type and all my classic motorcycles we are driving cars worth a lot of money and if something happens its better to be on the safe side i know a mot only states the car is safe on that day of test it gives you a backup if the worst things happen at any time lets face it £50.00 or whatever u pay is a small price to pay and you never know there may be a fault you have missed another set of eyes looking it over is always a good thing i think

Regards

I have received a reply from the DVLA representative of the FBHVC, via Keith Vincent, that neither having fuel injection, nor LPG are considered a significant change to the technical characteristics of the engine.

As part of that, I did state that the presence of fuel injection barely altered the horsepower of the engine, by which I meant that the power difference remained within the 115% previously issued draft guidance, so everything I said earlier still applies.

kind regards
Marek